Taxis in Korea: the real price, overcharging and what to do if you are scammed
60% of tourist complaints about taxis are about the fare. What a ride from Incheon really costs, the signs of a scam and how to report it.
Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)
Contents
Korean taxis are safe and fairly cheap, but they are also the top source of tourist complaints about transport. Here are the benchmarks to pay the right price.
The problem in figures
In 2024, the Korea Tourism Organization received 309 complaints about taxis. 60.2% were about an unfair fare or a refused meter1. Overall, 92.9% of the 1,543 complaints came from foreign visitors1.
What does a taxi really cost?
| Trip | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Incheon Airport → Seoul Station, regular taxi | ₩60,000 to ₩80,0004 |
| Jayang-dong (east Seoul) → Incheon Terminal 2, tolls included | about ₩70,0003 |
| Incheon → Gangnam by TADA van | ₩95,000 to ₩110,0005 |
The base fare is regulated: a taxi called through Uber or Kakao T costs the same on the meter5.
Signs of a scam
- A price announced out loud instead of the meter. In a Korea Times test, an Incheon driver quoted ₩80,000 to ₩90,000 plus a ₩10,000 toll, twice the apps' estimate2.
- A driver approaching you in the airport hall.
- A second payment requested on the car's terminal when you booked through an app. In May 2026, a tourist paid ₩690,800 instead of about ₩70,000 this way; the driver spoke of "an extra zero" and refunded3.
- A driver claiming a "premium" taxi costs double when you did not ask for one2.
How to pay the right price
- Take a taxi from the official rank or through an app (K.ride, TABA, Uber, Kakao T).
- Check that the meter is running. You can say "미터기 켜 주세요" (please turn on the meter).
- Look at your map app's estimate before leaving.
- Ask for a receipt: "영수증 주세요".
Overcharged?
- In Seoul taxis, scan the QR code displayed in the car: you can report in several languages since 20253.
- If you booked through an app, keep screenshots and the receipt: refunds go through the app and your bank3.
- If you are in danger, call 112.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Incheon Airport to Seoul?
About ₩60,000 to ₩80,000 to Seoul Station in a regular taxi4.
How do I report a taxi in Seoul?
Scan the QR code displayed in the taxi to report in several languages, and keep your receipt3.
Sources
- Office du tourisme coréen (KTO), rapport 2024 sur les plaintes des touristes (via Daum, 28/04/2025) · checked on 26 October 2026
- The Korea Times, test en caméra cachée des taxis d'Incheon (06/03/2025) · checked on 26 October 2026
- The Star, course de taxi à 690 800 ₩ (03/07/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026
- mileasia.com, Incheon Airport to Seoul Station 2026 · checked on 26 October 2026
- Korea Experience, applis de taxi : Kakao T, Uber, TADA (31/01/2026) · checked on 26 October 2026